US Navy E-2 Hawkeye

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

US Navy E-2 Hawkeye Eyes of the Fleet US Navy E-2 Hawkeye The Northrop Grumman E-2 Hawkeye series has served the US Navy as an all-weather, tactical airborne early warning and control system (AEW&CS) for more than 55 years. As Tom Kaminski reports, recent upgrades will keep it in service for decades to come eveloped in response to a 1956 control aircraft in March 1957. Grumman San Diego on October 19, 1965 headed for requirement for a carrier-based had previously developed the earlier WF-2 Southeast Asia. Production concluded with aircraft that could carry an Airborne Tracer from its TF-1 carrier-on-board the fi nal E-2A delivery in February 1967 and DTactical Data System (ATDS) to delivery aircraft. On October 21, 1960, totalled 59 aircraft. “provide early warning, threat analysis, and the model G-123 fl ew for the fi rst time in Powered by two 4,050shp Allison T56- control of counteraction against air and Bethpage, New York, as the W2F-1. The A-8/8A turboprop engines, the E-2A’s most surface targets”, the Hawkeye continues aerodynamic prototype was followed by a notable feature was a 24ft diameter AN/ to serve as an airborne surveillance and second fully equipped example that fl ew APA-143 rotodome that housed the antenna battle management command and control on April 19, 1961. Known a ectionately as arrays for the General Electric AN/APS-96 (BMC2) platform. Its ability to detect and the ‘Hummer’, due to the distinctive sound radar and the AN/APX-7 identifi cation friend track targets, process and transmit data, and of its twin turboprop engines, the Hawkeye or foe (IFF) system. Rotating at a speed of control engagements also allows the aircraft has been fi elded in four major variants that six rpm, it provided 360° coverage around to be tasked with secondary roles such as comprise the E-2A, E-2B, E-2C and E-2D. the aircraft. The E-2A also featured an air tra c management, search and rescue, It entered operational service with carrier automatic fl ight control system and was communications relay, and drug interdiction. airborne early warning squadron VAW-11 equipped with a CP-588 airborne computer. The US Navy Bureau of Aeronautics under the designation E-2A on January 19, Its ATDS was designed to acquire, transmit selected the Grumman Aircraft Engineering 1964. Its fi rst combat deployment began and exchange information and targeting Corporation to design and build the when VAW-11 Detachment C embarked data with warships equipped with the Naval carrier-based airborne early warning and the USS Kitty Hawk (CVA 63) which left Tactical Data System. 24 AVIATION NEWS OCTOBER 2020 24-31_hawkeyeDC.mfDC.mfDC.mfDC.mf.indd 24 07/09/2020 14:56 and identifi cation of electronic emitters. The design also incorporated a larger vapour cycle radiator on the upper fuselage, aft of the cockpit, used for cooling the avionics. Production E-2C deliveries began on September 23, 1972 and the baseline version entered service with VAW-123 in November 1973, but VAW-113 was the fi rst to deploy aboard the USS Saratoga (CV 60) in September 1974. The E-2C was powered by 4,910shp T56-A-425 engines and carried the AN/APS-120 radar. Developed from the earlier AN/APS-111, it improved detection of aerial targets against sea and land returns. The E-2C retained the E-2B’s Litton L-304 computer but the AN/ASN-92 Carrier Aircraft Inertial Navigation System (CAINS) replaced the earlier AN/ASN-36 INS. Introduced with the 35th E-2C (BuNo 160415) in 1976, the digital AN/ APS-125 Advanced Radar Processing Above: The Hawkeye’s Combat Information Center provides three identical mission System was less vulnerable to jamming system operator positions for the Radar Operator (RO), Combat Information Center and could detect fi ghter-size targets and O cer (CICO) and the Air Control O cer (ACO) US Navy/MCS Kyle D Gahlau cruise missiles at ranges up to 200nm and 125nm respectively. Additionally, it incorporated improved electronic counter- countermeasures (ECCM) capabilities. Beginning in 1987, several early E-2Cs were operated by the US Customs Service and the US Coast Guard, under loan from the US Navy. Each agency initially operated two E-2Cs to support counter narcotics operations, funded under the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1986. The Customs aircraft were turned over to the Coast Guard in 1989 and continued in service until October 1991. First installed on aircraft A-79 (BuNo 161346), the AN/APS-138 radar and the Total Radar Aperture Control-A antenna improved the radar’s e ectiveness in detecting small targets, especially over land. Grumman produced 52 aircraft in this confi guration, which was later referred to as Group 0, including 35 to the US Navy and 17 to international customers. The Group I that followed featured Main photo: VAW-116 ‘Sun Kings’ E-2C, BuNo the AN/APS-139 radar. It increased cruise 165649, is one of 27 Hawkeye 2000 variants missile detection range to 160nm and delivered to the US Navy between 2002 and improved surface detection in high sea 2009. US Navy/Lt(jg)Toby Rollenhagen state/clutter and against countermeasures. Group I also introduced the 5,100shp Reliability issues with computer and were sold to international customers. Work T56-A-427 engines and the improved Litton other systems resulted in modifi cations that on the E-2C began in June 1968, when AN/ALR-73 PDS, which was fi rst installed updated 51 E-2As to the E-2B confi guration. Grumman was awarded an $11.9m contract on A-69 (BuNo 161229). First evaluated on First fl own on February 20, 1969 and to develop the AN/APS-111 radar . Based on aircraft A-34 (BuNo 160012) in April 1986, initially deployed with VAW-114 aboard the earlier AN/APS-96, the AN/APS-111 was the -427 delivered a 24% increase in power the Kitty Hawk in November 1970, the designed by General Electric and underwent and reduced fuel consumption by 12%. Just E-2B featured a new Litton L-304 digital testing aboard an E-2A from 1965 to 1967. 18 Group I E-2Cs were produced beginning computer and upgraded avionics. The Two early E-2As became the E-2C with aircraft A-122 (BuNo 163029), and the conversion programme was completed in prototypes and were assigned the variant entered operational service with December 1971. The ‘Bravo’ was phased designations YE-2C and NE-2C. Powered VAW-112 on August 8, 1989. Hawkeye A-123 out of operational fl eet service by 1985 but by 4,860shp Allison T56-A-422 engines, (BuNo 163535) was the fi rst production continued to serve the Naval Reserve until the fi rst prototype fl ew on January 20, 1971. model with the new engines and it served VAW-88 retired its E-2Bs at NAS Miramar, Physical di erences between the E-2C and as a dedicated test asset for its entire career. California, in October 1986. the earlier E-2A/B included a longer, sleeker Group II Hawkeyes retained the nose and fairings on the outboard vertical T56-A-427 engines, but featured 11in E-2 CHARLIE fi ns and aft fuselage that housed antennas colour tactical displays, a more powerful Produced in fi ve sub-variants, the E-2C has for the Litton AN/ALR-59 Passive Detection computer and AN/APS-145 radar. The latter had the largest production run, comprising System (PDS). The system provided 360° system was fi rst tested aboard aircraft A-92 183 aircraft for the US Navy and 36 that passive precision direction fi nding, ranging, (BuNo 161784). In addition to increasing WWW.AVIATIONNEWS.CO.UK 25 24-31_hawkeyeDC.mfDC.mfDC.mfDC.mf.indd 25 07/09/2020 14:57 The prototype Hawkeye first flew on October 21, 1961, under the designation W2F-1. Assigned Bureau Number 148147, it was later modified to become the prototype C-2A carrier on-board delivery (COD) prototype Northrop Grumman radar range by 40% and surveillance space deliveries began in October 2001. It retained open-architecture Raytheon model 940 volume by 96%, the new version could the AN/APS-145 radar but, featured a GPS computer and the ACIS installed COTS simultaneously monitor, track and display receiver, AN/ASN-139 CAINS II navigation tactical workstations, featuring 17in flat- more than 2,000 target tracks. The radar system and improved AN/APX-100 IFF. An panel active-matrix liquid-crystal displays could also locate and track naval targets, UHF SATCOM satellite communication (AMLCDs). Testing of the new computer including large ships, fast patrol craft and set and a Multimission Advanced Tactical began with the first flight from Northrop stationary platforms in most sea states. Terminal provided expanded over-the- Grumman’s production facility and flight The Joint Tactical Information horizon wide-band and narrow-band voice/ test centre at St Augustine, Florida in Distribution System (JTIDS) was also data communications capability. Additionally, January 1997 and concluded that July. fielded on Group II aircraft. Flight-testing the earlier PDS was replaced by the A contract to incorporate the MCU/ACIS of this data link system began in February in four earlier Group II E-2Cs (A-143/146) 1990. Group IIs also gained a wideband/ was issued earlier in September 1996 and narrowband secure voice satellite HAWKEYE CREW the aircraft initially deployed with VAW-117 communication (SATCOM) capability and an The Hawkeye is flown by a crew of five, aboard the USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) in upgraded IFF system.
Recommended publications
  • Navy's More Colorjiul Admirals, the Guided Missile Frigate Clark Slides Down the Ways at Both Iron Works, Bath, Maine
    Named after one of the US. Navy's more colorjiul admirals, the guided missile frigate Clark slides down the ways at Both Iron Works, Bath, Maine. The 445-foot warship honors Admiral Joseph J. (Jocko) Clark of World War II fame. The ship, designed for defense against submarines, aircrafi and surface ships, was christened by the admiral's widow, Olga, of New York City. (Photo by Ron Farr.) ALL WIND6 MAGAZINE OF THE U.S. NAVY - 56th YEAR OF PUBLICATION JULY 1979 NUMBER 750 Chief of Naval Operations: ADM Thomas B. Hayward Chiefof Information: RADM David M. Cooney OIC Navy Internal Relations Act: CAPT Robert K. Lewis Jr. Features 6 FEEDING THE FLEET I Tracing Navy chow from hardtack to today's 'Think Thm' menus Page 30 THEY EAT BETTER ABOARD DEWEY THAN THEY DO AT HOME It takes a lot of pride to put out three good meals a da\T WHO GOES WHERE AND WHY There's more to detailing than just writrng orders ONE FOOT IN THE UNIVERSE Dedication of the Albert Einstein memorial at the Natlonal Academy of Sciences NAVAL AVIATION MUSEUM - PHASE II Second part of Pensacola's building program is complete 39 HIS EYES ARE ON OLYMPIC GOLD A competitor has only one shot at the rowing event this summer in Moscow PATHS TO A COMMISSION Page 39 Eighth in a series on Rights and Benefits Departments 2 Currents 20 Bearings 48 Mail Buoy Covers Front: Working side by side, USS Dewey's MSSN Gary LeFande (left) and MS1 Paulino Arnancio help turn ordinary food items into savory dishes.
    [Show full text]
  • US COLD WAR AIRCRAFT CARRIERS Forrestal, Kitty Hawk and Enterprise Classes
    US COLD WAR AIRCRAFT CARRIERS Forrestal, Kitty Hawk and Enterprise Classes BRAD ELWARD ILLUSTRATED BY PAUL WRIGHT © Osprey Publishing • www.ospreypublishing.com NEW VANGUARD 211 US COLD WAR AIRCRAFT CARRIERS Forrestal, Kitty Hawk and Enterprise Classes BRAD ELWARD ILLUSTRATED BY PAUL WRIGHT © Osprey Publishing • www.ospreypublishing.com CONTENTS INTRODUCTION 4 ORIGINS OF THE CARRIER AND THE SUPERCARRIER 5 t World War II Carriers t Post-World War II Carrier Developments t United States (CVA-58) THE FORRESTAL CLASS 11 FORRESTAL AS BUILT 14 t Carrier Structures t The Flight Deck and Hangar Bay t Launch and Recovery Operations t Stores t Defensive Systems t Electronic Systems and Radar t Propulsion THE FORRESTAL CARRIERS 20 t USS Forrestal (CVA-59) t USS Saratoga (CVA-60) t USS Ranger (CVA-61) t USS Independence (CVA-62) THE KITTY HAWK CLASS 26 t Major Differences from the Forrestal Class t Defensive Armament t Dimensions and Displacement t Propulsion t Electronics and Radars t USS America, CVA-66 – Improved Kitty Hawk t USS John F. Kennedy, CVA-67 – A Singular Class THE KITTY HAWK AND JOHN F. KENNEDY CARRIERS 34 t USS Kitty Hawk (CVA-63) t USS Constellation (CVA-64) t USS America (CVA-66) t USS John F. Kennedy (CVA-67) THE ENTERPRISE CLASS 40 t Propulsion t Stores t Flight Deck and Island t Defensive Armament t USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) BIBLIOGRAPHY 47 INDEX 48 © Osprey Publishing • www.ospreypublishing.com US COLD WAR AIRCRAFT CARRIERS FORRESTAL, KITTY HAWK AND ENTERPRISE CLASSES INTRODUCTION The Forrestal-class aircraft carriers were the world’s first true supercarriers and served in the United States Navy for the majority of America’s Cold War with the Soviet Union.
    [Show full text]
  • LANGLEY, LEX and SARA by Scot Macdonald ‘It Is the Navy's Mission to Protect Our Coasts, Our Seaborne Commerce, and Far-Flung Possessions
    ANCHORED IN SAN DIEGO harbor January 1933, U.S. Navy’s first the recent past. At right is USS Constitution. “Old Ironsides” was aircraft carrier, USS Langley, provides a startlinq contrast against then on her last major voyage, a tour of important U.S. seaports. Evolution of Aircraft Carriers LANGLEY, LEX AND SARA By Scot MacDonald ‘It is the Navy's mission to protect our coasts, our seaborne commerce, and far-flung possessions. Once war is forced upon us we must take the offensive to win it. The Navy is the first line of offense, and Naval Aviation as an advance guard of this line must deliver the brunt of the attack. Naval Aviation cannot take the offensive from shore; it must go to sea on the back of the fleet. I do not believe aircraft on shore can ward off a bombing attack launched, perhaps, from carriers by night from an unknown point for an unknown objective. On the other hand, a fleet with adequate aviation of its own can drive the carriers back out of effective range. Both for offense and defense the fleet and Naval Aviation are one and inseparable.’ —R.Adm. William A. Moffett, USN, October 1925, in the U.S. Naval Institute Proccedings NE DAY," said Capt. Thomas T. Jason. Although some conservative Returning to America, he immedi- O Craven, who had relieved Capt. seniors frowned on the plan, in time ately studied the problems of strength- Noble E. Irwin as Director of Naval and with the Secretary of the ening the Navy’s complement of pilots Aviation in May 1919, "one day, when Navy’s approval, we persuaded Con- and support personnel, obtaining "ap- someone suggested that shoveling coal gressional committees of the wisdom paratus suitable for their use,” and was becoming unpopular, we proceeded of converting one ship, the Jupiter, developing tactics.
    [Show full text]
  • Iraq: Summary of U.S
    Order Code RL31763 CRS Report for Congress Received through the CRS Web Iraq: Summary of U.S. Forces Updated March 14, 2005 Linwood B. Carter Information Research Specialist Knowledge Services Group Congressional Research Service ˜ The Library of Congress Iraq: Summary of U.S. Forces Summary This report provides a summary estimate of military forces that have reportedly been deployed to and subsequently withdrawn from the U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) Area of Responsibility (AOR), popularly called the Persian Gulf region, to support Operation Iraqi Freedom. For background information on the AOR, see [http://www.centcom.mil/aboutus/aor.htm]. Geographically, the USCENTCOM AOR stretches from the Horn of Africa to Central Asia. The information about military units that have been deployed and withdrawn is based on both official government public statements and estimates identified in selected news accounts. The statistics have been assembled from both Department of Defense (DOD) sources and open-source press reports. However, due to concerns about operational security, DOD is not routinely reporting the composition, size, or destination of units and military forces being deployed to the Persian Gulf. Consequently, not all has been officially confirmed. For further reading, see CRS Report RL31701, Iraq: U.S. Military Operations. This report will be updated as the situation continues to develop. Contents U.S. Forces.......................................................1 Military Units: Deployed/En Route/On Deployment Alert ..............1
    [Show full text]
  • Additional Historic Information the Doolittle Raid (Hornet CV-8) Compiled and Written by Museum Historian Bob Fish
    USS Hornet Sea, Air & Space Museum Additional Historic Information The Doolittle Raid (Hornet CV-8) Compiled and Written by Museum Historian Bob Fish AMERICA STRIKES BACK The Doolittle Raid of April 18, 1942 was the first U.S. air raid to strike the Japanese home islands during WWII. The mission is notable in that it was the only operation in which U.S. Army Air Forces bombers were launched from an aircraft carrier into combat. The raid demonstrated how vulnerable the Japanese home islands were to air attack just four months after their surprise attack on Pearl Harbor. While the damage inflicted was slight, the raid significantly boosted American morale while setting in motion a chain of Japanese military events that were disastrous for their long-term war effort. Planning & Preparation Immediately after the Pearl Harbor attack, President Roosevelt tasked senior U.S. military commanders with finding a suitable response to assuage the public outrage. Unfortunately, it turned out to be a difficult assignment. The Army Air Forces had no bases in Asia close enough to allow their bombers to attack Japan. At the same time, the Navy had no airplanes with the range and munitions capacity to do meaningful damage without risking the few ships left in the Pacific Fleet. In early January of 1942, Captain Francis Low1, a submariner on CNO Admiral Ernest King’s staff, visited Norfolk, VA to review the Navy’s newest aircraft carrier, USS Hornet CV-8. During this visit, he realized that Army medium-range bombers might be successfully launched from an aircraft carrier.
    [Show full text]
  • Expeditionary Strike Group: Command Structure Design Support
    Expeditionary Strike Group: Command Structure Design Support Susan G. Hutchins, William G. Kemple, David L. Kleinman, and Susan P. Hocevar Naval Postgraduate School Monterey, CA 93943 {shutchins, kemple, dlkleinman, shocevar}@nps.edu Introduction ¾ CNO’s Global Concept of Operations requires a restructured Fleet ¾ Switch from today’s 12 CVBGs to: • 12 Carrier Strike Groups (CSGs), 12 Expeditionary Strike Groups (ESGs), multiple Surface Action Groups (SAGs), and guided missile submarines • Operate independently to counter transnational threats and join together to form ESForces — the “gold standard” of naval power • Dispersed, netted, and operationally agile fleet, operating as part of the Joint Force to conduct a variety of missions Global Concept of Operations Designed to increase striking power, enhance flexibility, and provide more flexible, robust, and distributed offensive combat capability by transforming Amphibious Readiness Group/ Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) ARG/MEUs into ESGs. What is an Expeditionary Strike Group? ¾ Transform a previously vulnerable, yet highly valuable, asset into a more combat credible force package: ISR, Strike/NFS, AW, ASW/SW, MIO, TBMD ¾ Combination of three Cruiser-Destroyer ships, a submarine, and a ARG/MEU(SOC) to form an ESG increases offensive/defensive capabilities (1) Power projection (2) Maritime superiority for air, surface and subsurface (3) Maritime special operations (4) Amphibious operations (5) Military operations other than war (6) Enabling operations (7) Supporting
    [Show full text]
  • Conversations from Cecil Field, Florida
    Conversations from Cecil Field, Florida TRANSCRIPTIONS OF ORAL HISTORY RECORDINGS OF NINETEEN WHO SERVED Lyn Corley Out in the piney woods of Northeast Florida was born NAAS Cecil Field, child of NAS Jacksonville. From two hangars, Hangar 13 and Hangar 14, and a 2,000-foot diameter circular landing mat it grew with the addition of four 5,000-foot runways. It grew to house a jet squadron in 1949 with Carrier Air Group 1 and Fleet Aircraft Service Squadron 9. It grew with four 8,000- foot runways to become the first Master Jet Base in the South. It grew to have eight hangars and 19,000 acres with its own outlying fields. Its extended 12,500-foot runway grew to become an alternate landing site for NASA space shuttles. It grew with the addition of Naval Weapons Station Yellow Water with over 10,000 acres, Outlying Field Whitehouse, and Pinecastle Bombing Range. Cecil grew to encompass 3% of the land area of Duval County, Florida. Cecil served our world by becoming a training base for those who would protect American lives and freedoms that we cherish. Tens of thousands of men and women came through its gate to serve. They lived and died in that pursuit. Cecil had promise “to continue to be a station of significant importance to readiness in the U. S. Atlantic fleet” according to public relations materials but, NAS Cecil Field passed away on September 30, 1999. Many fought to save its life and the City of Jacksonville, Florida and those who served there mourned its passing.
    [Show full text]
  • Talent Management Analysis for the Air Wing of the Future
    NPS-HR-20-024 ACQUISITION RESEARCH PROGRAM SPONSORED REPORT SERIES Talent Management Analysis for the Air Wing of the Future December 2019 LCDR Michael J. Bartolf, USN LCDR Louis D’Antonio, USN Thesis Advisors: William D. Hatch, Senior Lecturer Dr. Robert F. Mortlock, Professor Graduate School of Defense Management Naval Postgraduate School Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. Prepared for the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA 93943. Acquisition Research Program Graduate School of Defense Management Naval Postgraduate School The research presented in this report was supported by the Acquisition Research Program of the Graduate School of Defense Management at the Naval Postgraduate School. To request defense acquisition research, to become a research sponsor, or to print additional copies of reports, please contact the Acquisition Research Program (ARP) via email, [email protected] or at 831-656-3793. Acquisition Research Program Graduate School of Defense Management Naval Postgraduate School ABSTRACT The Air Wing of the Future (AWOTF) will provide unmatched lethality and capability in future theaters of operations. The addition of the F-35C Lightning II, MQ-25 Stingray, and CMV-22B to the combat proven team of F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, EA-18G Growlers, E-2D Hawkeyes, and MH-60R/S Seahawks also comes with increased manpower support requirements over today's carrier air wing. The increased complement of personnel necessary to operate the AWOTF will either require a multimillion-dollar ship modification to the baseline design, or a reduction to the individual squadron manpower documents. The objective of this capstone was to analyze manpower talent management, maintenance training, and squadron-level maintenance activities to determine whether a training improvement solution could substantiate a manpower reduction by creating a higher-quality, more capable work force.
    [Show full text]
  • United States Navy Carrier Air Group 12 History
    CVG-12 USN Air 1207 October 1945 United States Navy Carrier Air Group 12 (CVG-12) Copy No. 2 History FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY This document is the property of the Government of the United States and is issued for the information of its Forces operating in the Pacific Theatre of Operations. 1 Original (Oct 45) PDF created with pdfFactory trial version www.pdffactory.com CVG-12 USN Air 1207 October 1945 Intentionally Blank 2 Original (Oct 45) PDF created with pdfFactory trial version www.pdffactory.com CVG-12 USN Air 1207 October 1945 CONTENTS CONTENTS........................................................................................................................................3 INTRODUCTION.............................................................................................................................3 USS Saratoga Embarkation..............................................................................................4 OPERATION SHOESTRING 2 ....................................................................................................4 THE RABAUL RAIDS .....................................................................................................................5 First Strike - 5 November 1943............................................................................................................5 Second Strike - 11 November 1943......................................................................................................7 OPERATION GALVIN....................................................................................................................7
    [Show full text]
  • Combat Search and Rescue in Desert Storm / Darrel D. Whitcomb
    Combat Search and Rescue in Desert Storm DARREL D. WHITCOMB Colonel, USAFR, Retired Air University Press Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama September 2006 front.indd 1 11/6/06 3:37:09 PM Air University Library Cataloging Data Whitcomb, Darrel D., 1947- Combat search and rescue in Desert Storm / Darrel D. Whitcomb. p. ; cm. Includes bibliographical references. A rich heritage: the saga of Bengal 505 Alpha—The interim years—Desert Shield— Desert Storm week one—Desert Storm weeks two/three/four—Desert Storm week five—Desert Sabre week six. ISBN 1-58566-153-8 1. Persian Gulf War, 1991—Search and rescue operations. 2. Search and rescue operations—United States—History. 3. United States—Armed Forces—Search and rescue operations. I. Title. 956.704424 –– dc22 Disclaimer Opinions, conclusions, and recommendations expressed or implied within are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of Air University, the United States Air Force, the Department of Defense, or any other US government agency. Cleared for public release: distribution unlimited. © Copyright 2006 by Darrel D. Whitcomb ([email protected]). Air University Press 131 West Shumacher Avenue Maxwell AFB AL 36112-6615 http://aupress.maxwell.af.mil ii front.indd 2 11/6/06 3:37:10 PM This work is dedicated to the memory of the brave crew of Bengal 15. Without question, without hesitation, eight soldiers went forth to rescue a downed countryman— only three returned. God bless those lost, as they rest in their eternal peace. front.indd 3 11/6/06 3:37:10 PM THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK Contents Chapter Page DISCLAIMER .
    [Show full text]
  • CARRIER STRIKE GROUPS: SATELLITE the FORMATION of SEAPOWER UNMANNED AIRCRAFT and HAWKEYE POWER PROJECTION GROWLERS the U.S
    THE SHAPE OF FREEDOM THE SHAPE OF FREEDOM The Shape of Freedom the shape of freedom SATELLITE CARRIER STRIKE GROUPS: SATELLITE THE FORMATION OF SEAPOWER UNMANNED AIRCRAFT AND HAWKEYE POWER PROJECTION GROWLERS The U.S. Navy Carrier Strike Group mission is to achieve and sustain air, sea and undersea control, respond to crises, and protect United States’ interests anywhere, anytime. STRIKE FIGHTERS DESTROYER PROTECTS TRADE ROUTES DESTROYER HUMANITARIAN DESTROYER RELIEF MISSIONS AIRCRAFT CARRIER CRUISER HELICOPTER REPLENISHMENT SHIP PROTECTS UNDERWATER ENEMY SUBMARINE CABLE LINES SUBMARINE SHIPS AIRCRAFT The Strike Group is composed TOTAL CONTROL OF ELECTRONIC WARFARE 7,500 SAILORS AND MARINES POWERFUL of the right combination of Dispersed system of sensors, intelligence 1 44 THE SEA AND AIR gathering, and active electronic warfare Coordinated network of sensors, weapons ships, submarines, aircraft, and equipment delivers situational awareness NUCLEAR-POWERED AIRCRAFT CARRIER STRIKE FIGHTERS systems, data sharing and intelligence fusion for U.S. forces while denying the enemy personnel to support an extensive to defend against enemy aircraft, ships, any advantage in the electronic spectrum. 1 5 MOBILE submarines, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles. GROWLERS range of operations from wartime CYBER WARFARE REPLENISHMENT SHIP STRIKE Provide defense against attacks and deliver 4 combat to peace time presence. Plan, direct, and execute overland strike missions tactical advantages in the cyber realm. 1 FLEXIBLE The Strike Group provides the using large quantities of land-attack missiles and HAWKEYES precision-vguided weapons launched from aircraft, CRUISER credible warfighting capabilities ships, and submarines. LOGISTICS 2 Efficient transfer, handling and storage of parts, 4-6 INDEPENDENT necessary to influence the fuel, weapons, and food.
    [Show full text]
  • WAR and PEACE in the HORNET Updated 0630/2016
    WAR and PEACE in the HORNET Updated 0630/2016 The Fist’s “marriage” with the CORSAIR II lasted just 15 years before transitioning to the F/A-18 Hornet. The Marines fielded their first Hornet squadron, VMFA-314, in January 1983. Some six months later, VFA-113 and VFA-25 were the first customers at VFA-125, the West Coast Hornet training squadron. The Fists received their first Hornet on 11 November, an important date in Fist History, and reported to CVW-14 in January 1984. As of 2012, the squadron has flown the Hornet longer than any other assigned aircraft (only 21 years in the SPAD). Editor: The following chronology is incomplete in some periods, pending access to additional command reports. Inputs are welcome: [email protected] CHRONOLOGY 1983 Commander in Chief - Ronald Reagan. 1 January The Squadron’s 40th birthday. 1 January VA-25 began the year serving under the command of Captain D. W. Baird, Commander, Carrier Air Wing Two, and under the operational control of Commodore D. B. Cargill, Commander Light Attack Wing, U. S. Pacific Fleet. 7 January The first F/A-18 Hornets entered operational service with VMFA-314, replacing that squadron’s F-4 Phantom II aircraft. 25 April CDR Steve L. WEBB relieved CDR R. W. LEONE as Commanding Officer. 2 May Lt. Leslie Provow, assigned to VRC-40, became the first woman designated a Landing Signal Officer (LSO). 11 May Fist of the Fleet was awarded the LTJG Bruce Carrier Memorial Award for excellence in Maintenance for CY1982. May The squadron provided six aircraft and ten pilots in support of the F-15 Fighter weapons School at Nellis AFB.
    [Show full text]